Maia Song Contest 24

The Maia Song Contest 24 will be the twenty-fourth edition of the Maia Song Contest, and will be held in Kashykia, following their win in the previous edition with the song "Hayastani Aghjikner" by Iveta Mukuchyan.

Kovatia and Lindsiet will participate for the first time, while Cordence, Ocleau, Prudhomme, and Wolfestan all returned after a one-edition break. Cannilie, Leodia, and São Rico all announced their intention to withdraw this edition, while Perlamuhay and Suelta were later forced to withdraw. On 11 January, Fronezenchya was invited as a late returnee.

Location
KYT and the MBU announced the conditions under which cities and venues could announce their interest in hosting the contest. On 29th December 2018, Kashiikit Televisoon announced that the Longjäärben Amphitheatre, located in the country's capital, would play host to the upcoming contest for the second time


 * The host city had to be near a major airport.
 * The venue must be available for the rehearsal period before the contest and one week after the conclusion of the contest
 * The venue must not be open-air, but an air-conditioned building with a capacity of at least 10,000 and a minimum ceiling height of 15 metres (49 ft), insulated for sound and light.
 * The green room must be located as close to the arena as possible (or within it), with a capacity of 300.

Host venue

Semi-final allocations
On 3 January, the MBU revealed the 'pots' for this edition. Unlike past editions, where it was based upon historical voting patterns, these pots were based upon geographical location. It is believed this will reduce the concept of diaspora voting. In total, there were five pots consisting of eight countries each.

On 11 January, it was announced that Fronezenchya would be allocated to semi-final one to fill the vacancy left by Perlamuhay's late withdrawal.


 * a. Perlamuhay failed to confirm their entry following the semi-final allocation, and later withdrew.
 * b. Suelta was later withdrawn due to their entry being ineligible to compete.

Semi Final 1
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Semi Final 2
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Loafousian broadcaster hacking
On 1 January 2019, all social media accounts associated with Loafousian broadcaster Emisora de Televisión Loafousia (ETL) were hacked, at first posting messages calling Halsey a "bald bitch" amongst other slurs. That night, the account announced that Moses Sumney would be representing Loafousia with the song "Rank & File", but this was later retracted and changed to former Loafiesta 6 participants Anteros and "Breakfast". On 5 January, the entry was supposedly changed again to popular Loafousian singer Alice Chater with the song "Wonderland (My Name Is Alice)".

On the morning of 6 January, the deadline for entry submissions, ETL regained access to all accounts and released a statement detailing "We are deeply sorry for any confusion caused by the events of the last few days, all of the artists involved are completely uninvolved in our Maia Song Contest 24 entry. The person responsible for the hacking - a former D'unelalehi citizen - has been caught and banished to The Whore Extractor. Our REAL entry will be announced tonight".

Perlamuhan late withdrawal
On 10 January 2019, it was announced that despite the country being allocated to perform at the first semi-final, Perlamuhay would not be able to compete in the current edition of the Maia Song Contest. This is due to the broadcaster failing to submit an entry to the MBU for unknown reasons. As a result, the country's broadcaster PBC was fined the cost of their participation fee for late withdrawal.

Racist lyrics controversy
After the initial transmission of the second semi-final, many Maiafans took to social media to complain that the Izol and Muuiian entries contained multiple uses of the "N-word" in the lyrics, calling it offensive or even racist. Other users, however, pointed out that the songs were performed by black women, and use of the word could be seen as reclaiming the slur, and therefore empowering.

Neither the MBU or the respective Heads of Delegations have responded to these claims.

Sueltan entry ineligibility
On 13 January 2019, it was declared that the Sueltan entry was not eligible to compete in the contest, due to having no music video. The broadcaster was given an opportunity to send a backup entry, but failed to submit one within a reasonable timeframe, and so the country was withdrawn from the contest.

Special invite of Fronezenchya
On 11 January 2019, Fronezenchya was announced to have accepted a special invite to fill the vacancy left by Perlamuhay in the first semi-final. Some broadcasters expressed discontent with this decision, arguing that the semi-finals should be redrawn, or that other broadcasters should also have received an invite (such as Braissash). The Arkaystian broadcaster threatened to withdraw as a result, claiming the decision was "not transparent" and "reeked of favouritism".

Other countries
Eligibility for potential participation in the Maia Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active MBU membership that would be able to broadcast the contest. The MBU will issue an invitation of participation in the contest to all active members.

Active MBU members

 * - Despite rumours that the country would participate, they were not on the full list of participating nations released on 2 January. In addition, they reportedly declined a 'behind-the-scenes offer' to return late from the MBU like that which was offered to Fronezenchya. It seems likely that the country may return in the twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth edition.
 * - The country was seen as unlikely to participate due to a lack of communication with the MBU and a failure to vote in both the semi-finals and grand final of the previous edition. On 2 January 2019, the MBU released a full list of participating nations, and the country was not included. It therefore withdrew from the contest.
 * - On 25 December, Radio i Televizija Kiznrland (KZRT) confirmed that a Kiznrlandish return would not happen in the twenty-fourth edition, and is unlikely in the near future due to a lack of resources required to participate.
 * - On 24 December, the country announced their plan to withdraw for the 24th edition. No reason has been given at this moment in time and it is currently unknown if they plan on returning, but sources from VB have said there have been talks of returning for the 25th edition and that a return is highly likely.
 * - On 31 December 2018, it was confirmed by the MBU that R2+ was eligible to return to the contest and the country confirmed its provisional participation. However, on 1 January 2019, Kashyk authorities banned Respublikian citizens to enter the county due to nationalist reasons. Therefore, R2+ decided not to return for the inaugural edition, but announced it would apply to participate in the twenty-fifth edition of the Maia Song Contest.
 * - Despite originally confirming participation, and being drawn to compete in the first semi-final, it was announced on 10 January 2019 that Perlamuhay would not be able to compete due to the broadcaster failing to submit an entry before the deadline. As a result, the country's broadcaster PBC was fined the cost of their participation fee.
 * - On 2 January 2019, the MBU released a full list of participating nations. Rraegvoerrgh was not included on this list, and will not compete at the twenty-fourth edition.
 * - On 24 December 2018, broadcaster RBC revealed the programming schedule for the upcoming months, and Maia Song Contest was not to be seen. It is therefore assumed that the country will withdraw from the contest. It was confirmed on 2 January 2019 that the country would not participate, as it was absent from the list of participating nations released by the MBU.

Associate MBU members

 * - Ever since Temekylopia's return to the contest in edition 18, Harrinia's participation in Maia Song Contest has constantly been brought up. After six editions of speculating, Harrinia Broadcast Television (HBT) officially announced on 24 December that the return of Harrinia in Maia Song Contest was a "maybe". No other statements have been made public by the broadcaster to this date.
 * - On 25 December, a leaked document from the Tayo broadcaster, Nayōn (NTV), showed that the country was preparing for a return to the contest. MBU spokesperson Lynda Woodruff outlined that they are welcome to return, but must first acquire active MBU membership and fulfil all other requirements before a return can be possible. If they return, it would follow a record twelve-edition hiatus. On 1 January 2019, the official Nayōn broadcasting schedule was released, and the Maia Song Contest was not included. It is therefore assumed that the prior "leak" was either a hoax or an early version, later amended.

MBU non-members

 * - According to reports, Kheretian president Vitalij Kheretonkov expressed an interest in the country competing at the Maia Song Contest. It is thought that this would be used to improve the nation's image abroad, and boost international relations as a whole. When asked for comment, the MBU spokesperson Lynda Woodruff said "Absolutely not happening. Thank you, next!". The state later dissolved, and the successor-state Kovatia debuted in the twenty-fourth edition.